Three-time Tour de France champion Greg LeMond spoke out about the recent allegations of Floyd Landis accusing Lance Armstrong and several others of systematic doping and condoning doping in the sport.

"I believe most of Floyd Landis’s statements regarding the systemic corruption in professional cycling. I imagine from my own experiences that today he is paying a heavy price for his honesty and I support Floyd in his attempt to free himself from his past. I hope that others- fans, riders and sponsor’s embrace this as an opportunity to bring about positive change in the sport," he said on his website.

LeMond was the first American to win the Tour de France, securing his three victories in 1986, 1989 and 1990. Despite attacks on his Landis's credibility, Lemond believes there is something to his claims.

"To be clear, Floyd Landis may have changed his version of the story, and while his own doping and subsequent lying have caused many to doubt him, my position, for which I have spoken long and loud, is to advocate for deep and systemic change in the sport to eliminate the scourge of dope."

The 48 year old believes that the sport need to go through a thorough cleaning before things will improve.

"Too many lives have been lost, too many promising careers have been cut short and too many fans have been cheated."

"It isn’t about whether Rider X or Rider Y can be proven by physical evidence or otherwise to have doped. Floyd Landis is simply representative of many in the sport. The sport needs to change its governance and its culture to survive long term.

"It must get beyond the recurring controversy. The fans have the right to be certain that they are cheering for human athletes rather than rolling pharmaceutical billboards, and clean riders have the right to a fair opportunity to stand on the podium.

"Clean racing makes for a much more exciting sport, and I encourage the fans to engage in the dialogue surrounding Floyd Landis’ comments and advocate with me here and elsewhere for positive “pure” change.”

LeMond and Armstrong have been at odds since he criticized Armstrong for continuing to associate with infamous Italian doctor Michele Ferrari. Lemond apologized a month later, claiming three years later that the apology was done because Armstrong threatened to defame him.